Trying to be frugal

It is hard for me to complain about money when I am sitting here looking at my portfolio spreadsheet and can see the value of my assets.  Yes, the market has been down, and so are most of my stocks, but overall, I should hardly complain.   While my VISA bills are large every month, I am also accounting for all of it on my expenses spreadsheet. (I call it "budget" but that's really not accurate).  I am covering part of my expenses by working, I know what I'm spending money on, and I am also appreciative of all the ways I'm able to save.
   For example:

• I got two Dunkin Donuts Gift Cards for Christmas - totaling $45. 
• Today at the dentist's office, Susan the office manager gave me free whitening gel to use in my Invisaligners, in return for me doing a 2 week before and after study, photos and interview.  They took my photo and I'll be in their newsletter.  And she didn't charge me for the $20 electric toothbrush I was going to buy anyway.   I had gotten a good deal on the Zoom teeth whitening when I was done with my Invisalign, and she sometimes gives me a break on the bill, as I no longer have dental insurance. They give me a lot of freebies - I think I got my electric toothbrush free, and they give me floss all the time,   I got a discount when I referred Alan as well.
• I buy things from Amazon, usually save shipping, and find things there for less money than in the stores.  I used some of my Visa points to shop last time, which did make paying for shipping at that time a lot easier.   
• I belong to Melrose Freecycle.  So far I've only taken an old radio, but I got Alan a George Forman grill, a Cuisinart Coffee maker, and a hair dryer. Oh I have also gotten a can of spray starch and furniture polish.  I think I got some sunscreen too.  
• I shop at Ocean State Job Lots, Building 19, Big Lots, Christmas Tree shop, etc.  I use coupons whenever possible, get freebies with points at places like Sephora, where if I'm going to splurge, it is nice to get something free as well.
• It's not much, but I've gone back to redeeming bottles and cans.  I try to take advantage of specials in the supermarkets, and I'm glad that there are so many choices around here.  Where Alan lives, there is no Foodmaster, Market Basket or Hannafords close by. 
• Losing weight on WW (which I was paying for and not going) will make it easier to buy clothes, and while I have gotten rid of some clothes that were too small, there are some I still have that I'll be able to wear.
• I work whenever I can.  I'm going in to work for someone tonight, who is out sick. I'd rather not, but I lost over a week's worth of hours when I went to Germany, and I was out sick myself on Monday.  So -- as much as I'd rather be home, if they ask me to come in I usually will (despite the price of gas at 3.35 and the Tobin bridge toll of $2.50)
• Buying fruit and veggies instead of snacks and not getting fast food. 

Update:     Although nothing has really changed in my financial situation (except for buying a new Mini!), I am trying to be more conscious about my spending.  I used to think , why does Alan buy from the clearance racks at the supermarket when he has plenty of money?  Well I get it.  I have money too, but it has to LAST.  I don't know if I'll ever work full time again if I don't need to.   But I still like earning extra money, and I like saving whenever I can.

For example, I can no longer spend $85- $99 to get my hair colored anymore.  So I bought Nutrisse, like I used to do and did my own roots. Unfortunately, my roots came out a little too orange, although the hair color overall was kind of nice.  But I do not need to be one of those older women with orange hair!  First I went to the beauty supply store, but then I decided to call Nutrisse.  They suggested a medium brown on roots, and it looked so much better afterwards. I've gotten compliments on the color. It's a little darker than what I had, but at only $8-10 every 5 weeks, I'll save so much money.

I don't get a chance to use coupons very often, but I do shop sales and I am lucky that I don't have to rely on one store.  I went to Shaw's and did not buy things that I thought cost more than I wanted to pay for them.   Like Alan, I also like the discount stores like Bldg 19, etc.  I buy a lot of things in Ocean State Job Lots, etc.